Against All Odds

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Vanessa sparked. In as much as she was tipsy, the young lady didn’t forget herself completely. Damian was shocked. In his entire thirty two years of living on earth, no one had ever talked back at him apart from his father, Mr Hyacintho, of course! He leaned into the chair and his lips curved into a smile. Then, he nodded his head. Damian’s bodyguards were thrilled. They had never seen their boss handling such a situation calmly ever before. As such, each one of them stood alert. “You seem like an interesting young lady. I mean, no one dares raises their voice at me…” “You did first and I hate it!” Vanessa cut in. The young man drew his weight to the left hand side of the couch where he rested his elbow with his palm holding his head. “I’m tired of everything! I’m tired of working here, waking up early since I was only but four years old and trying to make both ends meet for my family”, she paused and sniffled her nose. Damian listened attentively. He had never been so intrigued by anyone before in his entire life. Vanessa must certainly have some kind of unique charm to have him all attentive to her story. “My father is dying”, she spilled. Damian was drawn aback. He couldn’t imagine life without his own father. “What happened to him?” “He needs a kidney transplant?” “How much do they need?” Vanessa paused, looked into Damian’s eyes and burst into laughter. It was the funniest thing which no one had ever asked her. Damian on the other hand was getting pissed off. He nearly rose to leave but parts of him kept holding him back like “you must help her”. Damian drew in a long breath. Vanessa took a glass of whisky from the table before them and sipped. Damian did the same. “I see that you’re really tipsy” “I am not tipsy” “Okay”, Damian chuckled. “What makes you think that you can help me? Do you think I’m a w***e? Is it because I work as a waitress?” Now, Damian was really getting pissed off. Women were not even his thing and then the audacity the one sitting in front of him exuded made him feel insulted. Yet, when he sorts to leave, something kept holding him back. “I am Damian Hyacintho, son of the richest billionaire in Philippines. You should count yourself lucky sitting with me and having a conversation”. Damian finally revealed. Vanessa cared less. At this point, she was truly quite tipsy as her eyes rolled from left to right while she tossed the glass in her hand to the bottle on the table. The young man squeezed his eyes shut. “Vanessa Leonard, the manager wants to see you right now”, a young waiter who pulled up beside Vanessa said. As he turned to leave, one of Damian’s bodyguards grabbed the back of his shirt. “How dare you walk into my boss’ territory in such disrespectful manner”, his voice vibrated sending shrills down the waiter’s body. Damian dipped his hand into his pockets and pulled out a cigarette. The guard standing right beside his left lighted it while he drew in the smoke and exhaled. Vanessa rose to her feet. “Where the hell do you think you are going?”, his eyes were flashed at Vanessa. She could barely speak. Damian pushed her leg and she fell back into the chair she was sitting on. “Ouch! That hurts”, she whined. Damian couldn’t help but get stuck at staring; her eyes were sexy, lips well shaped and her face as a whole is purely a work of art. He chuckled because he didn’t notice her enchanting beauty all the while. “Tell your boss that Damian Hyacintho is having Vanessa tonight. Here’s a cheque to make up for that”, Damian said to the waiter. Immediately, a cheque was issued to him and he left as soon as possible. Vanessa was weak but she could hear what he said. “Have her tonight? What does that even mean?” she mumbled. “Your father can get the transplant done. I will give you the money”, Damian spilled. Vanessa, whose body was weak felt it come alive. A sizzling feeling of excitement surged through her stomach down to her feet. Was she dreaming? Is this truly real? Vanessa’s eyes cleared. “You really mean that?” “Of course! “Just like that?” Damian nodded his head. Vanessa jumped on his body and hugged him. “Thank you so much” she cried. Vanessa didn’t know what was coming for her. Poor girl! All that mattered at the moment was that someone had finally volunteered to help her and her father will stay alive. Damian wrote down a cheque and handed it to Vanessa. Her hands shook as she collected it. What if he wasn’t serious about it? Suddenly, Vanessa screamed. Everyone turned around to look at her. Realising this, she covered her mouth immediately and tears began to roll from her eyes down to her cheeks. Her knees fell to the ground before Damian as she cried. “I know you were willing to help but …….this much…”she said pointing to the paper. “I am Damian Hyacintho, son of the richest billionaire in the Philippines. I am also a man of my words”, he declared. Vanessa really hated that he was so full of himself but this was the same man helping her out of her pitiable predicament. “Your father can get his kidney transplant while I have my father’s five companies in my name”, Damian began. Vanessa couldn’t fathom. What does that even mean? “Relax, young lady”, he responded to the look on her face which clearly read ‘what do you even mean?’ “. “What I mean is, in exchange for the money, I will get to own my father’s companies in Singapore, Manila, Russia, Cuba and New York”, he paused. Her eyes were fixated on him and it had the ‘please-continue’ glare. “But, you will pretend to my fiancée for a couple of weeks”, he dropped the bombshell.